Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi

> I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and I

got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but when I

went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they have a new

system in which the do central filling of prescription so they don't need

pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and doctors.

> So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was

just try to kick me off??

>

> Samer Hassan

> Sent from my iPod

>

have you heard of the super system?

i guess not.

they are trying to fire pharm. techs. and pharmacists as well.

[Guest guest]

The new system of central filling is very true. We did not know in my store that

it had started. We just noticed that prescriptions were typed and reviewed from

other stores. We were confused at one point before we figured out that that is

what is happening. But really, that is the new system in Walgreens now.

________________________________

From: Samer Pharm <samerhassan2@...>

" "

< >

Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:42:41 PM

Subject: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

 

Hi

I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and I

got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but when I

went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they have a new

system in which the do central filling of prescription so they don't need

pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and doctors.

So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was just

try to kick me off??

Samer Hassan

Sent from my iPod

[Guest guest]

Dear Temmy Sanya,

 

Are you fabuaita?

What hav eyou heard about ALL Walgreens using this system? or just the area you

are in?

What state or area are you in?

What does this have to do with Samer trying to get a job at Walgreens? Please

explain. 

 

While you say: " The new system of central filling is very true. "   It may be

'new' to you or 'new' where you work or new to Walgreens, but the idea and

implementation of central filling is NOT NEW. And in fact does not replace

technicians. It only changes the work and where they work.

 

Are there any lay offs where you work? Hours being cut?

Please let me know and then we will come up with a responsible way of reporting

this together.

 

Thank you for returning my email.

 

Jeanetta   

From: temmy sanya <catria2000@...>

Subject: Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 12:21 PM

The new system of central filling is very true. We did not know in my store that

it had started. We just noticed that prescriptions were typed and reviewed from

other stores. We were confused at one point before we figured out that that is

what is happening. But really, that is the new system in Walgreens now.

________________________________

From: Samer Pharm <samerhassan2@...>

" "

< >

Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:42:41 PM

Subject: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

 

Hi

I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and I

got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but when I

went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they have a new

system in which the do central filling of prescription so they don't need

pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and doctors.

So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was just

try to kick me off??

Samer Hassan

Sent from my iPod

     

[Guest guest]

Usually during the 'transition' phase from traditional dispensing to the central

filling there may be a shift in hours, layoffs to get rid of dead weight, and

rearranging work locations and schedules.

After this happens teh dust settles and it is buisiness back to usual.

Is there anyone who has worked in central fill out there? What are your duties

and how do you like it?

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron

Founder/Owner

>

>

> From: temmy sanya <catria2000@...>

> Subject: Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

>

> Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 12:21 PM

>

>

> The new system of central filling is very true. We did not know in my store

that it had started. We just noticed that prescriptions were typed and reviewed

from other stores. We were confused at one point before we figured out that that

is what is happening. But really, that is the new system in Walgreens now.

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: Samer Pharm <samerhassan2@...>

> " "

< >

> Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:42:41 PM

> Subject: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

>

>  

> Hi

> I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and I

got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but when I

went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they have a new

system in which the do central filling of prescription so they don't need

pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and doctors.

> So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was

just try to kick me off??

>

> Samer Hassan

> Sent from my iPod

>

>

>

>

>

>      

>

>

[Guest guest]

i have not heard of this, and even if all refil rxs were filled centrally, new

ones would still have to be filled in house.  and i would think the central

filling would open up more tech positions.  and why would walgreen's have

doctors? 

 

Hi

I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and I

got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but when I

went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they have a new

system in which the do central filling of prescription so they don't need

pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and doctors.

So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was just

try to kick me off??

Samer Hassan

Sent from my iPod

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[Guest guest]

Dear All,

While one can feel or believe that their job is in jeopardy, the fact remains

that this (enctral fill) has been going on for YEARS and we have not seen less

demand for pharmacists or technicians! On the contrary.

The following article was written in 2002! 7 years ago! It predicts the changes

that we are seeing today. But it also states that the loads of the pharmacists

and technicians will be lessened.

Many of us who have been around a long time can recall the days when less

scripts were written and filled. Therefore less stress.

Central Fill is around the US, it means different locations and different duties

for techs at the central fill locations.

Jobs for techs will increase as the number of baby boomers age and need more

scripts as the number of central fill centers increase. Duties in the fill

centers will be different than tech duties at pharmacies. Techs will still be

needed at pharmacies.

PLEASE read this article..

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3374/is_3_24/ai_83586459/

" Central fill increasingly pushes productivity envelope

Drug Store News, March 4, 2002 by Mark Tosh

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- The concept of filling or processing prescriptions from a

central location--a groundbreaking idea as recently as three years ago--now has

become a viable and almost preferred solution for retailers as they attempt to

find ways to handle the ever-increasing workload behind the pharmacy counter.

At the recent National Association of Chain Drug Stores' annual Regional Chain

conference here, representatives of 20-plus chains noted that they were at least

considering the possible benefits a central fill and/or processing operation

could have for their business. Ron Clerico, vice president of Autonomics, a

division of AmerisourceBergen, provided attendees at the conference with an

update on the status of central-fill and central-processing initiatives.

More Articles of Interest

• Using central-fill to maximize dispensing

• Central-fill expansion is prescription for success

• McKesson, Costco join in central-fill agreement

• Central prescription filling benefits pharmacist and customer

• Central fill/processing eases burden of pharmacist shortage

" The Arthur Andersen study really put a value on what was going on in the store

and defined all the components of what was going on in terms of processing

prescriptions and [tied] dollars to the specific tasks, " Clerico said, recalling

results from 1999's landmark study sponsored by NACDS. That report found that

pharmacists spend about one-third of their time on processing prescriptions and

20 percent on preparing the prescription. " In the future, this is going to

change dramatically, " he noted.

In most instances, stores that are filling 300-plus prescriptions per day are

the most suitable candidates for linking with a central-fill facility. On the

processing side, every prescription is a candidate for central processing,

Clerico noted.

The economic model for a central-fill facility assumes that the filling process

is highly repetitive, it's automation intensive and generates consistent

economic performance. He estimated the incremental cost per prescription at $2

to $2.25, on the assumption that the facility can fill between 4,000 to 5,000

prescriptions per day. The cost estimate also assumes that the retailer " has an

existing distribution or logistics network [and] you don't need to build it

yourself, " he said. " This is a key reason why the grocery chains have been such

early adopters of central fill; they have the distribution network. "

Among the advantages of central fill and central processing, Clerico noted, is

that the facility can be an alternative to hiring additional store personnel,

adding in-store automation and increasing the size of the pharmacy department in

the store to better handle the growing worldoad.

A central-fill facility also can help a retailer improve the in-store work

environment at the stores that shift volume to the central facility. " You can

see better morale at the store level, better productivity and better customer

service--all the intangibles that are difficult to measure but that are

certainly a result of the program, " Clerico stated.

One of the keys to getting a central program off the ground is a store-level

advocate for the program, he added. " You need to pick the right store managers

to implement this program because, frankly, they are ones who have to be the

adopters of it, and they are the ones all the pharmacists are going to call

[with questions], " he said.

Automation adoption

However, despite the growing interest on the part of retailers, many state

pharmacy boards have yet to address central fill or central processing from a

regulatory standpoint, Clerico noted. " To date, only about 26 states have

adopted any sort of rulemaking regarding central fill or central processing, and

in many cases they have only talked about one and not the other, " he said. " So

the states are in varying degrees of [adopting] rules and regulations. "

Two other hurdles that retailers face in developing a central pharmacy solution,

he said, are system technologies and the ability to connect a store to the

central facility via high-speed Internet connections.

Nonetheless, Clerico said the " early adopters " of central fill and central

processing now are beginning to gauge the added efficiency these efforts can

bring to their operations. Although only about six or seven chains have stated

publicly their efforts in this area, several other retailers have programs in

development and are keeping the effort quiet. In addition, he noted, some of

those chains that first look at central fill are now looking at central

processing and vice versa.

" In the next few years, it's all going to start to come

together--regulatory-wise, electronically and technologically, " Clerico said. " I

think you also will start to see the best practices [results], and many of you

will have a clearer picture of whether this makes sense for you or not. " "

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharmacy Technician Educator

Founder/Owner

> >

> > Hi

> > I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and

I got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but when I

went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they have a new

system in which the do central filling of prescription so they don't need

pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and doctors.

> > So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was

just try to kick me off??

> >

> > Samer Hassan

> > Sent from my iPod

> >

>

> have you heard of the super system?

> i guess not.

> they are trying to fire pharm. techs. and pharmacists as well.

>

[Guest guest]

I just had a student hired as a tech at Walgreens down the street. I have

not heard of this system but agree with you that it will still not replace

technicians.

Longs drugs (now CVS) has been using central fill for over 8 years. Many of

the techs that worked in the store moved to positions in central fill so

there are still positions open.

Who do you think fills and takes care of the robots at central fill? Does

the packaging and filling that cannot be done by robots? Techs do.

Julette Barta

_____

From: Jeanetta Mastron [mailto:rxjm2002@...]

Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2009 12:29 PM

Subject: Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

Dear Temmy Sanya,

Are you fabuaita?

What hav eyou heard about ALL Walgreens using this system? or just the area

you are in?

What state or area are you in?

What does this have to do with Samer trying to get a job at Walgreens?

Please explain.

While you say: " The new system of central filling is very true. " It may be

'new' to you or 'new' where you work or new to Walgreens, but the idea and

implementation of central filling is NOT NEW. And in fact does not replace

technicians. It only changes the work and where they work.

Are there any lay offs where you work? Hours being cut?

Please let me know and then we will come up with a responsible way of

reporting this together.

Thank you for returning my email.

Jeanetta

From: temmy sanya <catria2000@...>

Subject: Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 12:21 PM

The new system of central filling is very true. We did not know in my store

that it had started. We just noticed that prescriptions were typed and

reviewed from other stores. We were confused at one point before we figured

out that that is what is happening. But really, that is the new system in

Walgreens now.

________________________________

From: Samer Pharm <samerhassan2@...

<http://us.mc506.mail./mc/compose?to=samerhassan2 > >

"

<http://us.mc506.mail./mc/compose?to=@g

roups.com> " <

<http://us.mc506.mail./mc/compose?to=@g

roups.com> >

Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:42:41 PM

Subject: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

Hi

I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and

I got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but

when I went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they

have a new system in which the do central filling of prescription so they

don't need pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and

doctors.

So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was

just try to kick me off??

Samer Hassan

Sent from my iPod

[Guest guest]

Walgreens in Florida just started central fill in Orlando a few months ago. So

if you live in Orlando you can get a job with them but the rest of the state

they are getting rid of major amounts of pharmacists and techs and at the store

level the employees are NOT happy. Pharmacists are being told they have to open

and close by themselves, they now only have 1 tech for the busy hours of the

afternoon. Any that still have their jobs were thinking of leaving until we

just got word that the Florida Board of Pharmacy has approved for CVS to start

central fill of Florida Rx in Arizona! So no jobs there either. They have been

trying to tell the pharmacy schools to take in less but they think there is

still a shortage (right now there are very few job openings here at all, no

where near what will be needed for next year's graduating class).

They do claim there is more patient contact time with this system but no

incentive for the pharmacists to provide it so it is doubtful as to the benefit

to the patients. It does however benefit the bottom line of the companies by

having less inventory at store level, less employees needed overall and keeping

the ones they do have a steady workflow (no down time). I hope this extra money

filters down into raises for the techs and pharmacists but somehow I doubt it...

Joy

[Guest guest]

Thank you Joy for your report.

Please tell the 'community' a little bit of your background.

 

We have not seen this problem yet in CA. Again the central fill has mainly been

with

mail order and Kaiser.

 

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner

 

 

From: nerissafaye <nerissafaye@...>

Subject: Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

Date: Friday, September 4, 2009, 7:35 AM

Walgreens in Florida just started central fill in Orlando a few months ago.  So

if you live in Orlando you can get a job with them but the rest of the state

they are getting rid of major amounts of pharmacists and techs and at the store

level the employees are NOT happy.  Pharmacists are being told they have to open

and close by themselves, they now only have 1 tech for the busy hours of the

afternoon.  Any that still have their jobs were thinking of leaving until we

just got word that the Florida Board of Pharmacy has approved for CVS to start

central fill of Florida Rx in Arizona!  So no jobs there either.  They have been

trying to tell the pharmacy schools to take in less but they think there is

still a shortage (right now there are very few job openings here at all, no

where near what will be needed for next year's graduating class).

They do claim there is more patient contact time with this system but no

incentive for the pharmacists to provide it so it is doubtful as to the benefit

to the patients.  It does however benefit the bottom line of the companies by

having less inventory at store level, less employees needed overall and keeping

the ones they do have a steady workflow (no down time).  I hope this extra money

filters down into raises for the techs and pharmacists but somehow I doubt it...

Joy

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I agree that central fill and other types of automation usually do not result in

massive lay-offs of any kind. Yes there is dead weight that is removed but I

have yet to see that result in more than a couple of positions being eliminated.

Re-structuring is common in all industries when newer and better technology is

utilized to a larger extent. However, there is still A LOT of human

intervention that takes place. As someone mentioned in a previous post, someone

has to order the drugs, package the drugs, and stock the system before it can

even be used. I doubt anyone would pay RPhs for that when they can utilize

techs for half (or less) the money. In my 6 years of automation experience, I

have seen robots and other systems of all types and sizes. I have been in

various types and sizes of hospitals as well and tech intervention is a must! I

realize hospital automation is not the same as retail automation. Hospital

robots often fill for 4 or 5 hospitals yet cart fill techs are still needed at

all locations including the robot site.

Just my observations,

Annette

[Guest guest]

I currently work for a large teaching hospital as their outpatient clinical

pharmacist however this information was confirmed for me at the last executive

meeting of our local pharmacist association. We have several on our board that

work for Walgreens and CVS and that is what they were telling us is happening in

their stores.

In the past I have been a technician educator and currently helped to design a

short training program for techs when they start at our institution. As Florida

rolls out the requirements for training programs here, we may be able to modify

ours and look at becoming a training center.

I do hope that you are correct and many will be rehired. With this economy now

is not a good time to lose your job.

Joy, Pharm. D., BCPS

>

> Thank you Joy for your report.

> Please tell the 'community' a little bit of your background.

>  

> We have not seen this problem yet in CA. Again the central fill has mainly

been with

> mail order and Kaiser.

>  

> Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> Pharm Tech Educator

> Founder/Owner

>  

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Joy!

I wanted you to introduce yourself because even though I know you, I felt

that your background and being a pharmacist " in the know " would definitely add

credence to what we are learning from others and what they are 'seeing'.

I did not want to holler " fire " , when " fabuaita " spoke of this, but she is

correct. I am saddened that some are not being hired and at the idea that some

are being laid off. But I truly believe that we will see different locations

and types of work for techs. As more and more clinics open such as diabetic,

antitrombotic/anticoagulant, HIV clinics where pharmacists will be performing

some monitorying type of tests or giving injections a pharmacists where blood

will be drawn technicians roles will also be to assist the pharmacist in their

new roles. We also see techs at hospitals doing more with pre-surgical screening

and post-discharge screening. So duites of technicians are evolving and changing

just as those of the pharmacist are.

While this economy is not conducive to the change, we must know it is real and

coming with the gradual positive changes in the economy over time.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner

> >

> > Thank you Joy for your report.

> > Please tell the 'community' a little bit of your background.

> >  

> > We have not seen this problem yet in CA. Again the central fill has mainly

been with

> > mail order and Kaiser.

> >  

> > Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> > Pharm Tech Educator

> > Founder/Owner

> >  

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dearest Annette,

Thank you for your input! It is sooooooooooooooooooo much needed.

For those of you who do not know Annette has been with Mc KESSON in automation.

She has placed job opening after job opening on this site in the past for

McKesson. She no longer works for them but NOW works for the Texas STATE Board

of Pharmacy !!!

Recently she placed several state board of pharmacy openings on this site.

I greatly rever her opinions and expereince.

We have seen the negative current happenings across the nation being reported.

Annette has been there done that! She has seen how duties evolve and change and

has been one to change her expectations and move on within the pharmacy

industry. We all need to take a lesson from Annette. We need to reinvent

ourselves, update our job skills.

Thank you again Annette for sharing your personal experience with automation.

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

>

> I agree that central fill and other types of automation usually do not result

in massive lay-offs of any kind. Yes there is dead weight that is removed but I

have yet to see that result in more than a couple of positions being eliminated.

Re-structuring is common in all industries when newer and better technology is

utilized to a larger extent. However, there is still A LOT of human

intervention that takes place. As someone mentioned in a previous post, someone

has to order the drugs, package the drugs, and stock the system before it can

even be used. I doubt anyone would pay RPhs for that when they can utilize

techs for half (or less) the money. In my 6 years of automation experience, I

have seen robots and other systems of all types and sizes. I have been in

various types and sizes of hospitals as well and tech intervention is a must! I

realize hospital automation is not the same as retail automation. Hospital

robots often fill for 4 or 5 hospitals yet cart fill techs are still needed at

all locations including the robot site.

>

> Just my observations,

>

> Annette

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Jule! Your personal knowledge of the central fill in your Inland

Empire area of Southern California confirms what I have known and seen. The

country's central fill has/is developing at different rates at different

locations. Change begets change.

For those of you who do not know: Jule and I are both educators in Southern

CA, where we are not seeing a negative central fill situation. But we both

agree that technicians will face changes in job functions/duties, but the

purpose for technicians is the same: to assist the pharmacist to get the right

drug to the rigth patient at the right time, in the right dosage form, strength

for the right route. And we agree that there is a need and will always be a need

for pharmacy technicians. We will keep an eye on this situation and report any

changes as they develop.

I personally will be seeking more central fill sites for externships as/when

central fill locations open in CA.

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

>

> From: temmy sanya <catria2000@...>

> Subject: Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

>

> Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 12:21 PM

> The new system of central filling is very true. We did not know in my store

> that it had started. We just noticed that prescriptions were typed and

> reviewed from other stores. We were confused at one point before we figured

> out that that is what is happening. But really, that is the new system in

> Walgreens now.

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: Samer Pharm <samerhassan2@...

> <http://us.mc506.mail./mc/compose?to=samerhassan2@...> >

> "

> <http://us.mc506.mail./mc/compose?to=@g

> roups.com> " <

> <http://us.mc506.mail./mc/compose?to=@g

> roups.com> >

> Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2009 10:42:41 PM

> Subject: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

>

>

> Hi

> I had passed the ptce recently, and now I become certified pharmacy tech and

> I got my state license in Arizona. So I applied for walgreen online, but

> when I went to the pharmacy for the interview they just told me that they

> have a new system in which the do central filling of prescription so they

> don't need pharmacy tech anymore and they just hiring pharmacists and

> doctors.

> So I wanna know from people working in walgreen if this is true, or he was

> just try to kick me off??

>

> Samer Hassan

> Sent from my iPod

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanetta you are too kind! But you did bring up a good point when you mentioned

reinventing ourselves. The only way to survive any industry is to change with

it and to try to be a step ahead if possible. As always, you are right on the

money!

Annette

[Guest guest]

Dear Annette,

This site has always been about two main things:

EDUCATION (for those studying for certification,  CE and knowledge of the

pharmacy

industry news and tech issues)

AND '

RECOGNITION of those who have passed the national certification exam and techs

who have excelled in their field of work/professional development and have

helped others to grow as well.

YOU fit in both sections as you have helped many stay on top of pharm news/tech

issues, helped others to find work, displayed how to post professionally as an

example, led others by example how to change with the times as tech duties

change.

You are so deserving of any words I could ever hope to offer in appreciation.

Thank you again!

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

From: nutterbutter818 <nutterbutter818@...>

Subject: Re: Walgreen layoff pharmacy techs

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2009, 11:39 AM

Jeanetta you are too kind!  But you did bring up a good point when you mentioned

reinventing ourselves.  The only way to survive any industry is to change with

it and to try to be a step ahead if possible.  As always, you are right on the

money!

Annette